Project: Evaluation and control of disease in domestic and feral pigs

Since 2004, Tragsatec has conducted a program for MAGRAMA to control disease in domestic and feral pigs in the area of the Natural Park of Los Alcornocales, which represents an epidemiological risk as a transmitter of disease to domestic livestock.

The pig livestock sector is one of the largest in the Spanish economy, so it is essential to maintain a epidemiological surveillance system that allows the immediate prevention or detection of any outbreak of disease within this population.
The growing population of feral pigs in this Natural Park, from crosses of native wild boars and domestic pigs released into the environment of the Park (of no hunting or livestock interest) may constitute a natural reservoir for disease, and create problems in the conservation of wildlife in the area by threatening its ecological value and balance of the ecosystem.
For these reasons, measures have been adopted to control the population of feral pigs demanding their capture, slaughter and study for health reasons. Capturing is done using mobile cages or traps. Subsequently, the captured specimens are slaughtered through the use of licensed firearms.
The cadavers of these animals are used for sampling and epidemiological research of swine diseases of interest, after which they are removed and disposed of in accordance with current legislation.
The results are added to those obtained during the surveillance, control and consultancy carried out in the implementation of national programs for disease control in domestic pigs, vaccination programs and health ratings of farms, which are conducted routinely across Spain.